Spanning 4 generations from the lady who introduced me to her household and placed in the high traffic
most-loved area in the dining hall, I have heard conversations, differences and whispers on world affairs
to traditions to hand-me-down secret recipes. There are many tales to tell - for the benefit of her grand
children and great grands.

09 June 2009

Tommy the Retired Don Juan

EJ had a pleasant surprise, a visit from a gang of four white and red kittens, more than 10 years ago. It was not known whether they were born in the house or was brought back by a young couple who lived a few doors away.

Occasionally those cute kittens would sneak by for a short visit. As they grew, they were allowed to roam. Though Tommy was not the best looking or cutest of the lot, he was the most recognisable as he was the fattest. It was found out later that he was the fattest because he was the greediest.

First the kittens roamed the neighbouring houses but still along the same street. Slowly the roaming became farther and wider. And they gradually mixed with other stray cats and made friends with them.

Before reaching adulthood, two of Tommy's siblings succumbed to diseases picked up from the strays. One almost reached maturity but was killed by a speeding car. Tommy was the only survivor.

On reaching adulthood, Tommy continued his wandering ways and covered several housing estates. Being in the prime of his life, he was strong, solidly built and good looking. He had countless girlfriends - everywhere.

To confirm that it was Tommy, EJ on the way to work in the mornings, taking a short cut through several housing estates, yelled his name from the car. Tommy responded. Sometimes Tommy was seen with his stray lady friends. At other times he was alone walking probably seeking out his friends. But he still went 'home' and dropped by EJ's house for a quick hello and treat.

There were times the quick hello would be longer when Tommy needed help for his wounds probably from the fights to win and prove his worth for his lady friends.

Then one Chinese New Year, Tommy came. Hardly recognisable, he was dirty, continually sniffing from a runny nose, sneezing non-stop, had teary eyes with numerous wounds on his body and extremely thin - so thin that the biggest part of him was his head.

Tommy mewed for help. Now how could one turn down such an appeal at this sightful plea? So off he went to the vet. On the consultation table at the clinic, Tommy purred obviously enjoyed the amount of attention he got.

He purred even when given an injection much to the amusement of his doctor. Tommy was confined to an enclosure and took a month to recover. Through several visits to the vet, medication and care, Tommy began to fill out.

He was never allowed to roam again and never allowed to return to his 'owner'.

About Me

Bought more than 40 years ago in the market by a compassionate lady, I have met and made friends with animals as well as human. Now I have parked myself with the lady's child, EJ, who lives with a cat - abandoned and handicapped.
email: mychairspeaks(at)gmail.com

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Tanya, 19, (1998 - 7 May 2016) had the same owner as Tommy. After an accident, many surgeries and care, her vet said Tanya belongs to EJ. Tanya's right hind leg became shorter than the rest.

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Pebble (joined the pack on 1 January 2006 - 24 January 2016), age unknown, had the same owner as Tanya and was abandoned when the owner shifted. EJ decided to take her in when someone took away her babies (one of them was Noel) and she went berserk. Pebble became totally blind and developed cerebellar hypoplasia.

Winnie, age unknown, had the same owner as Pebble and was abandoned when the owner shifted. EJ took her in when she hobbled on three legs bullied endlessly by stronger and bigger strays.

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Kenggy (joined the pack on 10 January 2007 - 10 June 2014), age unknown, was rescued by an acquaintance from the roadside after having just given birth. Her two front paws were already missing then. EJ took her in when it was found out that no one wanted her and will be put back in the streets. Kenggy had breast cancer and survived more than 1½ years after mastectomy.

Captain Jack Sparrow HAWK (joined the gang 25 Dec 2007 - 9 Dec 2017), age unknown, (smart guy knew where to go) placed himself in front of a pet shop who rescues strays and rehomes them. EJ took him in as chances of adopting one with a missing eye was slim at that time.

Cinders, 30 July 1994 – 28 July 2012. Sister to Cookie, given by EJ's then colleague, they came when they were three months old. Despite her age, Cinders still had her teeth. In her last two years of her life, she had kidney problem; one of her kidneys had shrivelled.

Tommy, 1998 – 9 May 2011. Thin and sick with feline flu, he came asking for help. After treatment, nursed to health and fattened, EJ approached his owner to officially adopt him. He had heart and kidney problems.

Tortie, 16 April 2001 – 17 October 2010. Handicapped-born son of Tanya, was sickly as he grew up but he grew to be the biggest and heaviest of the lot. He was taught how to walk and only allowed EJ to carry him. He had severe kidney plus mild heart problems and high cholesterol.

4-Head, 16 April 2001 – 1 December 2007. Brother to Tortie and son of Tanya, he camouflaged his illness so well that when discovered, his heart problem was at advanced stage and fluid had filled his lungs.

Noel, 25 December 2005 – 31 January 2006. Son of Pebble, was found a week after being born and lost. Though tried, he could not be saved as his vet suspected he was stepped on during that lost period.

Cookie, 30 July 1994 – 1999. Brother to Cinders, given by EJ's then colleague, they came when they were three months old. He provided lots of laughter due to his crossed-eyes. Keeled over one fine afternoon, it was suspected that he suffered a heart attack.